Concentrating mainly but not exclusively on the Loire's vineyards, its vignerons and their wines along with places to eat and stay. Also covers some recently published wine books – not just from Loire. Regional Chair for Loire @Decanter's World Wine Awards since its inception.
Winner of the 2009 Wine Blog Trophy (journalist category) Salon des Vins de Loire. I have a large and expanding library of photos, particularly from the Loire – places, producers, vineyards etc. European.

2012:Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award

Monday, 13 April 2015

Sancerre: sad to see vineyards 100% blitzed with weedkiller

A steep sloped vineyard in Sancerre on way to Chavignol

(above and below)

Although there have been big changes in many of Sancerre's vineyards over the past 15 or more years it is still sad to see too many vineyards are still given the 100% blitzed by weedkiller treatment leaving a destroyed ecosystem and no life apart from vines.

Undoubtedly the very steep slopes and often thin soils in many parts of Sancerre pose a real challenge for weed and grass control. Grassing over the vineyards may provide too much competition for the vines, while driving a tractor and ploughing/harrowing the soil on a very steep slope is a real test of nerve and skill. Furthermore working the soil can encourage erosion. However, the increased risk of erosion is one of the disadvantages of 100% erosion.

Sancerre can sometimes get very heavy rain. I well remember a storm with torrential early one August a number of years back which brought so much soild down that the road between Saint-Satur and Chavignol was blocked by a substantial mudslide and many cellars were flooded with mud. Vineyards that have been blitzed with weedkiller have nothing to impede the flow of rainwater, especially if the soil has been compacted by tractors. Only the remaining prunings in the vineyard shown could impede the flow of water.

Given the commercial success of Sancerre there is no excuse for blitzing the vines here unlike in Touraine where the case can be made that it is uneconomic for a producer who sells to a négociant or is a member of a Cave Co-operative to do anything else but to use weedkiller on 100% of the vineyard.

2 comments:

Luc Charlier
said...

You ALLWAYS have a choice,Jim. But,at a price! I know what I'm talking about. Making wine as a "spoiled child's hobby" is very frustrating, and gratifying at the same time. But you CANNOT maintain a family on that. In 20 years from now,you won't have any "artisanal" wine-maker left, just "industrie agro-alimentaire". I'm willing to bet all I have on that. But then again, I'll be long dead.

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